Epidemiology of and Risk Factors for COVID-19 Infection among Health Care Workers: A Multi-Centre Comparative Study

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Healthcare workers (HCWs) face significant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risks due to patient care and inadequate protective equipment.
• Understanding transmission dynamics and risk factors among HCWs is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a scientific foundation for preventing and controlling COVID-19 infections among HCWs.
• To compare epidemiological characteristics between HCWs and non-HCWs in Wuhan.
• To identify risk factors for infection and disease progression in HCWs within hospital settings.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of COVID-19 case data from Wuhan, comparing HCWs and non-HCWs.
• Epidemiological characteristic comparison, including attack rates and time intervals from symptom onset to diagnosis.
• Exploration of risk factors associated with hospital settings and departments for HCW infections and deterioration.

Main Results:

• The COVID-19 attack rate (AR) among HCWs in Wuhan hospitals reached 11.9%.
• HCW cases showed a significantly shorter median time from symptom onset to diagnosis compared to non-HCWs after mid-January.
• HCWs in county-level hospitals and those in general, ophthalmology, and respiratory departments exhibited higher vulnerability to infection and deterioration.

Conclusions:

• HCWs experienced higher COVID-19 attack rates than the general population.
• Hospital environments and specific departmental roles are significant factors in COVID-19 transmission among HCWs.
• Enhanced protective measures are essential to mitigate COVID-19 infection risks for healthcare workers.